Candidates R5: Gukesh and Nakamura score in eventful round

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
4/10/2024 – Two games ended decisively in round 5 of the Candidates Tournament, though all four could have easily finished with decisive results. Praggnanandhaa R and Vidit Gujrathi got superior positions but failed to make the most of their advantages against Ian Nepomniachtchi and Fabiano Caruana respectively, while Hikaru Nakamura and Gukesh D obtained full points after their opponents faltered in technical endgames. Nepomniachtchi and Gukesh are now sharing the lead with 3½ points each. | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.

Gukesh and Nepo share the lead

The Candidates continue to entertain chess fans all over the world with exciting, hard-fought games. Round 5 saw Praggnanandhaa R playing a strong opening idea against Ian Nepomniachtchi; Vidit Gujrathi failing to make the most of Fabiano Caruana’s over-optimistic play; Alireza Firouzja faltering in an endgame to lose against Hikaru Nakamura; and Gukesh D first mishandling a superior position and then beating Nijat Abasov in a queen endgame.

As the round-5 encounters reached the middlegame phase, it seemed likely for Pragg to inflict a first defeat on Nepo after employing a formidable piece of preparation, while Vidit suddenly got big winning chances once Caruana faltered by missing a tactical idea in a double-edged position. Not long after, both games ended drawn.

By that point, Gukesh had obtained a strategic, stable advantage over Abasov, while the game between Firouzja and Nakamura was the most balanced confrontation, with both contenders showing proficient play in an interesting middlegame. Much later in the day, both encounters ended decisively, as Firouzja and Abasov faltered in technical endgames.

Once the action was over about six hours into the round, Gukesh emerged as co-leader. After beating Abasov, the Indian prodigy is tied for first with Nepomniachtchi, each with 3½ points.

In Wednesday’s sixth round, Nepo and Gukesh will play white against the top two seeds in the tournament — Caruana and Nakamura, respectively.

Results - Round 5

NameRtg.Nt.Pts.Pts.NameRtgNt.
2747
2
½-½
3
2758
2727
½-½
2803
2743
1-0
2632
2760
0-1
2789

Andrea Bocelli

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli visited the tournament hall and played a chess game against none other than Vishy Anand — with the black pieces! | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Praggnanandhaa ½ - ½ Nepomniachtchi

For a fifth game in a row, Pragg showed remarkable opening preparation. Facing Nepo’s Petroff Defence, the 18-year-old blitzed out his first 20 moves confidently, entering a line involving a couple of pawn sacrifices.

Praggnanandhaa v. Nepomniachtchi

Only after 19.d5 did Nepo seem to be out of book (or perhaps he was reviewing the lines he had prepared in his head) — the Russian had also blitzed out all his moves up to this point, but he spent 40 minutes before playing 19...cxd5.

Pragg quickly continued with 20.Ng5, to which Nepo replied with the imprecise 20...h6 after thinking for 8 minutes (20...g6 was stronger).

Then came the energetic 21.Nxf7, played by Pragg after less than 2 minutes!

After 21...Kxf7, White was a piece down, but he had played fearless, bold chess to amass both a 50-minute advantage on the clock and a clear psychological edge.

As the commentators expected, Nepo gave back material looking to deal with his opponent’s threats. However, after 21...Kxf7 22.Rd3 Nd7 23.Rxd5, the Russian faltered with 23...Nc5

Instead of the knight jump, Black needed to play 23...Bxh2, the one move that kept the dynamic balance.

The next critical point was reached after 24.Rxd6 Kg8 25.Qd5+ Kh8

With 1 hour and 26 minutes on his clock, Pragg spent around 12 minutes before playing 26.Bf5 here, when 26.Qe5 (or the less precise 26.Qd4) was the way to keep his advantage, pinning the g-pawn and thus creating the threat of an eventual Rxh6+.

After 26...Nb7, White’s best continuation is to swap the queens with 27.Qxa5 Nxa5. Nepo had survived the opening scare, and then showcased his usual quick, confident style to keep the balance and eventually sign a 44-move draw.

Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu

Excellently prepared — Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Vidit ½ - ½ Caruana

Much like Pragg, Vidit has been displaying audacious opening ideas throughout the event in Toronto. On Tuesday, though, the 29-year-old faced one of the strongest theoreticians in the world, and had to spend close to 20 minutes already on move 7.

The Indian star nonetheless handled the opening stage formidably, entering a position with opposite-side castling which engines soon evaluated as slightly favourable for White.

And, on move 22, Caruana decided not to castle short (which was the strongest move in the position) and go for 22...e5 instead, as he failed to foresee that 23.Qg3, as played by Vidit, would leave him in a really tough spot.

Caruana counted with 23...Qa7, going all-in on the queenside while allowing his opponent to play 24.Qxe5, pinning the e7-bishop and preventing Black from castling short.

Fortunately for Caruana, however, Vidit had about 12 minutes on his clock at this point (with 26 moves to go). After 24...Rxa2 25.Qg7 Rf8, the Indian grandmaster decided to enter a line that led to a draw by perpetual check.

If Vidit had more time on his clock, he would have probably tried to assess the positions arising after moves like 26.Kc1 or 26.Kc2 (which are winning for White), but given the time situation and perhaps because he came from losing two games in a row, he went for 26.Qe5 Qa4 27.Qb8+ Bd8 28.Qe5+ Be7 instead.

A draw by repetition following an exciting battle! Note that Black is threatening to give checkmate on a1.

Fabiano Caruana

Fabiano Caruana | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Firouzja 0 - 1 Nakamura

This game featured a rich strategic struggle out of a Giuoco Piano, with both players handling the tension remarkably and only trading queens on move 41.

An imbalanced yet equal endgame with two rooks and a minor piece per side was eventually reached, as a draw continued to be the expected result going forward.

Suddenly, however, Firouzja entered a forcing line, which surprised commentator Irina Krush, who considered 53.f6+ to be unnecessarily risky.

Firouzja v. Nakamura

Here 53.Rxd4 Nxd3 54.Rxd3 Rxf5 55.Re2 further simplifies matters, and is to lead to a somewhat quick draw agreement.

After the text, on the other hand, a forcing sequence resulted in Nakamura getting a knight and two pawns for a rook, with the black king quite active on f5. The position was still balanced, but the U.S. grandmaster was surely given a chance to pose tricky questions to his young opponent.

Firouzja’s decisive mistake came on move 62.

The white king and rook need to find a way to simultaneously deal with the two black passers, on the d and g-files (and the h-pawn is also coming). Moves like 62.Ra8 or 62.Rd8 maintain the equality here, while 62.Kxd3, as played by Firouzja, loses rather quickly.

Nakamura had no trouble finding 62...g3 63.Rf8 Ke6

The white king cannot defend against ...g3-g2-g1 as the knight defends the promotion square from h3, while 64.Rg8 fails to 64...g2 65.Rxg2 Nf4+, with a deadly fork. Firouzja resigned before seeing these moves appear on the board.

A painful defeat for the 20-year-old representing France, who now stands a full 2 points behind the co-leaders.

Alireza Firouzja, Hikaru Nakamura

Alireza Firouzja v. Hikaru Nakamura | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Gukesh 1 - 0 Abasov

The last encounter to end on Tuesday saw Gukesh failing to take advantage of a clear strategic edge in the middlegame, only to (much later) win the game after Abasov erred in a drawn queen endgame.

By move 35, most commentators predicted that Gukesh would convert the following position into a full point.

Gukesh v. Abasov

White is a pawn, has the safer king, and it seems like his coordinated army will not have much difficulty in dealing with the passer on the d-file.

However, a good defensive effort by Abasov and a couple of imprecisions by Gukesh led to a queen endgame with an extra pawn for White — one that tablebases proved to be drawn with perfect play.

Abasov continued to show good defensive skills, but Gukesh was not going to stop trying until a completely forced draw would be reached. In the end, the Indian’s perseverance was rewarded, as his opponent erred decisively with 83...Qf1+

The one move that would have kept the balance was 83...Qg2 — after the text, White’s winning idea is not difficult to find for a player of Gukesh’s calibre (commentator Vishy Anand saw it immediately).

There followed 84.Qf4 Qb5+ 85.Qe5, and Abasov realized what had just happened.

Any check will be followed by a counter (discovered) check — and White will be able to force a queen trade in any reasonable line. Resignation came after 85...Qd7+ 86.Kf6+ Kh4 87.Qg5+

87...Kh4 88.Qf5+ and White will convert his extra pawn into a trivial win. A tough loss — after a valiant defensive effort — for Abasov.

Nijat Abasov

Nijat Abasov | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Standings after round 5

Rk.NameRtg.Nt.Pts.n
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
TBPerf.
1
2743
3.5
5
8.25
2882
2
2758
3.5
5
7.25
2871
3
2803
3.0
5
6.25
2802
4
2747
2.5
5
5.75
2755
5
2789
2.5
5
5.00
2734
6
2727
2.0
5
5.75
2696
7
2632
1.5
5
3.75
2622
8
2760
1.5
5
3.50
2597
TBs: Sonneborn-Berger

All games

New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Position not in LiveBook
1.e4 4 c5 10 2.Nf3 5       d6 4 3.d4 14 cxd4 6 4.Nxd4 3 Nf6 6 5.Nc3 4 e5 5 6.Bb5+ 3:44       Nbd7 30 7.Nf5 4:07 a6 43 8.Ba4 9:20 8.Nxd6+? Bxd6 9.Qxd6 axb5-+ 8...b5 14 9.Bb3 3 Nc5 5 10.Bg5 1:40 aiming for Bd5. Bxf5 6 White is slightly better. 11.exf5 1:54 Be7 5       12.Bxf6 5:30 Bxf6 1:43 13.0-0 10:14 e4 2:43 14.Nxe4 9:35 Nxe4 1:16 15.Re1 20 15.Qd5!? 0-0 15...Ng5? 16.Rae1+ Kf8 17.h4± 16.Qxe4 15...0-0! 8 16.Rxe4 3       Black needs to defend precisely. Bxb2 14 Black is weak on the light squares 17.Rb1 2 Bf6 3:52 18.Qd5 2:38 Rc8 6:37       19.Qb7 12:29 Rc5 34:27 20.Qxa6 1:21 Rxf5 4:27 21.Rd1 4:45 White is more active. d5 2:49 22.Rb4 20:56       22.Qxb5? dxe4 23.Bxf7+ Rxf7-+ 22...Bc3 20:10 23.Rxb5 23 Rxf2 7 24.Rbxd5 10:18 Of course not 24.Kxf2?! Qh4+ 25.Kg1 Bd4+ 26.Kh1 Be5= 24...Qh4 31 25.Qd3 2:31 Rf6 2:45 26.g3 2:30 26.Qxc3? is a self mate. Qf2+ 27.Kh1 Qf1+ 28.Rxf1 Rxf1# 26...Qb4 3:18 27.Kg2 2:48 Bb2 0 28.Rf5 2:58 g6 9:41 29.Rxf6 3 Bxf6 4 30.Qf3 17 Qe7 4 31.a4 56 Kg7 1:28 32.a5 16 White should play 32.Bd5 32...Ra8= 2:55 33.Rd5 1:03 33.Qxa8!? Qe2+ 34.Kh3= 33...Ra7 5 34.Rb5 1:38 Qd8 1:25 35.Rd5 54 Qc7 1:35 But not 35...Qa8?! 36.a6 36.h4 52 Rxa5 6:15 37.Rxa5 4 Qxa5 3 38.Qb7 3 Qd8 22 39.Qxf7+ 6 Kh6 1 40.Kh3 0 Qe7 0 41.Qc4 2:23 Qe3 52 Weighted Error Value: White=0.08 (flawless) /Black=0.08 (flawless) . Mistake: White=1 --- Inaccurate: White=2 Black=5 OK: White=13 Black=15 Best: White=1 Black=1 Strong: --- Black=1 ½–½
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Caruana,F2803Nakamura,H2789½–½2024B56FIDE Candidates 20241.1
Abasov,N2632Nepomniachtchi,I2758½–½2024D53FIDE Candidates 20241.2
Firouzja,A2760Praggnanandhaa R2747½–½2024C83FIDE Candidates 20241.3
Gukesh D2743Vidit,S2727½–½2024D40FIDE Candidates 20241.4
Praggnanandhaa R2747Gukesh D27430–12024E20FIDE Candidates 20242.1
Nakamura,H2789Vidit,S27270–12024C65FIDE Candidates 20242.2
Nepomniachtchi,I2758Firouzja,A27601–02024C65FIDE Candidates 20242.3
Caruana,F2803Abasov,N26321–02024B30FIDE Candidates 20242.4
Gukesh D2743Nepomniachtchi,I2758½–½2024E01FIDE Candidates 20243.1
Abasov,N2632Nakamura,H2789½–½2024D13FIDE Candidates 20243.2
Firouzja,A2760Caruana,F2803½–½2024B30FIDE Candidates 20243.3
Vidit,S2727Praggnanandhaa R27470–12024C70FIDE Candidates 20243.4
Nakamura,H2789Praggnanandhaa R2747½–½2024C78FIDE Candidates 20244.1
Nepomniachtchi,I2758Vidit,S27271–02024C67FIDE Candidates 20244.2
Caruana,F2803Gukesh D2743½–½2024C54FIDE Candidates 20244.3
Abasov,N2632Firouzja,A2760½–½2024E32FIDE Candidates 20244.4
Praggnanandhaa R2747Nepomniachtchi,I2758½–½2024C42FIDE Candidates 20245.1
Firouzja,A2760Nakamura,H27890–12024C54FIDE Candidates 20245.2
Gukesh D2743Abasov,N26321–02024C43FIDE Candidates 20245.3
Vidit,S2727Caruana,F2803½–½2024B30FIDE Candidates 20245.4
Nepomniachtchi,I2758Caruana,F2803½–½2024C47FIDE Candidates 20246.1
Gukesh D2743Nakamura,H2789½–½2024B27FIDE Candidates 20246.2
Vidit,S2727Firouzja,A27601–02024B57FIDE Candidates 20246.3
Praggnanandhaa R2747Abasov,N26321–02024D40FIDE Candidates 20246.4
Firouzja,A2760Gukesh D27431–02024D02FIDE Candidates 20247.1
Nakamura,H2789Nepomniachtchi,I2758½–½2024C42FIDE Candidates 20247.2
Caruana,F2803Praggnanandhaa R2747½–½2024C02FIDE Candidates 20247.3
Abasov,N2632Vidit,S2727½–½2024C65FIDE Candidates 20247.4
Praggnanandhaa R2747Firouzja,A2760½–½2024B47FIDE Candidates 20248.1
Vidit,S2727Gukesh D27430–12024C55FIDE Candidates 20248.2
Nakamura,H2789Caruana,F28031–02024C78FIDE Candidates 20248.3
Nepomniachtchi,I2758Abasov,N2632½–½2024C01FIDE Candidates 20248.4
Vidit,S2727Nakamura,H27891–02024C55FIDE Candidates 20249.1
Gukesh D2743Praggnanandhaa R2747½–½2024C77FIDE Candidates 20249.2
Firouzja,A2760Nepomniachtchi,I2758½–½2024A07FIDE Candidates 20249.3
Abasov,N2632Caruana,F2803½–½2024E40FIDE Candidates 20249.4
Praggnanandhaa R2747Vidit,S2727½–½2024C65FIDE Candidates 202410.1
Nakamura,H2789Abasov,N26321–02024B22FIDE Candidates 202410.2
Nepomniachtchi,I2758Gukesh D2743½–½2024C70FIDE Candidates 202410.3
Caruana,F2803Firouzja,A27601–02024B90FIDE Candidates 202410.4
Praggnanandhaa R2747Nakamura,H27890–12024D06FIDE Candidates 202411.1
Vidit,S2727Nepomniachtchi,I27580–12024C42FIDE Candidates 202411.2
Gukesh D2743Caruana,F2803½–½2024D35FIDE Candidates 202411.3
Firouzja,A2760Abasov,N26321–02024D04FIDE Candidates 202411.4
Nepomniachtchi,I2758Praggnanandhaa R2747½–½2024C01FIDE Candidates 202412.1
Nakamura,H2789Firouzja,A27601–02024C01FIDE Candidates 202412.2
Abasov,N2632Gukesh D27430–12024E32FIDE Candidates 202412.3
Caruana,F2803Vidit,S27271–02024C54FIDE Candidates 202412.4
Nepomniachtchi,I2758Nakamura,H2789½–½2024C64FIDE Candidates 202413.1
Praggnanandhaa R2747Caruana,F28030–12024B30FIDE Candidates 202413.2
Vidit,S2727Abasov,N2632½–½2024C42FIDE Candidates 202413.3
Gukesh D2743Firouzja,A27601–02024C65FIDE Candidates 202413.4
Nakamura,H2789Gukesh D2743½–½2024E51FIDE Candidates 202414.1
Caruana,F2803Nepomniachtchi,I2758½–½2024D35FIDE Candidates 202414.2
Firouzja,A2760Vidit,S2727½–½2024C67FIDE Candidates 202414.3
Abasov,N2632Praggnanandhaa R27470–12024E69FIDE Candidates 202414.4

Why did Nakamura call the arbiter against Pragg?

When Gukesh took on the world number 2!

Watch tons of high-quality content on ChessBase India’s YouTube channel!


Links


Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.

We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.